Dallas Cowboys Blog

Cowboys draft candidates: Guard David DeCastro has rare résumé

The Cowboys have the 14th pick in the first round of this month’s draft. Here’s a look at a player under consideration.

David DeCastro

Guard

Stanford

6-5, 316

Background: A consensus All-American in 2011 and first team conference selection the last two years…Finalist for Outland Trophy…Started every game at right guard the last three years for a Stanford team that averaged more than 207 yards rushing over that span…Gave up one sack during his college career, as a redshirt freshman, in 2009.

Scouting report: Considered by some to be the best interior offensive lineman to enter the draft since Steve Hutchinson in 2001…Is low and quick coming out of his stance…Outstanding in pass protection…He adjusts well to blitzes…He’s quick on his feet, has good balance and rarely overreacts…Dominant when he pulls and gets outside…Gets to that second level quickly…Struggles at times as a one-on-one blocker in the run game…Ran a 5.34 in the 40 and had 34 reps at 225 pounds in the bench press…A perfectionist…A leader.

How he fits: The interior of the offensive line was the Cowboys biggest offensive weakness in 2011…Even though the club signed Nate Livings and Mackenzy Bernadeau in free agency, DeCastro would step in from Day One and be the team’s best guard…Could also move to center.